Global Wind Power
Last year the wind energy sector grew by 30% pushing the global total of installed wind energy capacity to finally break the 40GW mark.

However, this growth has not been equal across the world. Europe, in particular Germany has the largest share of today’s wind market- about 75%. Germany’s contribution to this global total is a massive 15 GW - almost 40% of the planet’s installed wind power capacity. Spain is 2nd placed globally with over 6GW of capacity installed, that is more or less the same as North and South America combined. Despite the rhetoric, India still has three times more installed wind energy than the UK.

It is clear that policy support at national government level is of vital importance if a country is to make a substantial shift towards wind and other renewable energy sources as agreed by the various international climate change agreements such as Kyoto. The recent pressures on the global oil market should only improve wind’s position within policies of future national governments especially the US, which is still punching below its weight.

Wind Turbine Developments
Economies of scale are encouraging larger and larger turbines to be developed. Turbines rated as 4.5MW can now be bought off the shelf, while components suitable for future turbines of 7.5MW are now been developed and tested. This growth in turbine size is encouraging and enabling both the repowering of existing wind farm sites and the proposal of large new off-shore farms which would have been considered uneconomic with the small turbines available ten years ago.

Wind Farm Financing
In addition to the technical improvements, complex new financing systems are evolving, allowing for longer payback periods and providing increased investor comfort. Renewable Energy Certificate schemes are offering the additional bonus of guaranteed revenues per mega watt for producers of green energy.

Skills required
As the industry grows and matures, the demand for technical expertise is being extended to expertise in the softer areas such as PR, community liaison, environmental impact, etc. The sector offers capable and energetic individuals vast potential to succeed in an industry which is growing faster than any other. The international nature of the wind industry means that individuals with additional language skills are especially valued.

The successful implementation of wind energy projects tend to rely on a wide partnership of players, both large and small. Therefore, depending on personal preference, it is possible to choose to work with either small companies providing a specialist niche product or very large companies such as the international power utility giants, which are now developing wind energy teams.

Wind Energy Jobs
There are an increasing number of specialist employment areas within the Wind Energy sector. Whilst many vacancies require an engineering background, many others offer good opportunities for individuals who may lack direct experience within the wind power sector, but who have enthusiasm and useful skills which are transferable.

• Turbine manufacturers
• Component subcontractors
• Blade manufactures
• Transportation logistics
• Project management
• Finance and legal expertise
• Planning and environmental
• Site Testing
• Tower manufactures
• Pile driving
• Grid Connection
• Green Electricity Sales
• Domestic Renewable energy systems